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Ely Dark Sky Festival

Ely Dark Sky Festival  - March 19-22, 2026

The Ely Dark Sky Festival is scheduled for March 19–22, 2026, perfectly timed to coincide with the Spring Equinox on March 20. This festival celebrates the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which is recognized as one of the largest and most pristine International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world.

Dark Sky Schedule  (Printable Schedule)

Host Business/Organization Event Location Event Cost Event Date Event Date Event Name Event Description
Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness Northern Grounds, Upstairs, 2 W Sheridan St, Ely Free Thursday, March 19 6:00 PM Northern Lights 101 W/Elizabeth Miller Are you new to Northern Lights? Join regional expert and avid photographer Elizabeth Miller as she talks about what the Northern Lights are, what causes them, and how you can experience the wonder and the challenge of chasing them for yourself
Brainstorm Bakery 402 E. Sheridan St   Thursday - Saturday 7 AM - 2 PM   Dark Sky Mocha and Muffin
Grand Ely Lodge Evergreen Restaurant, 400 N. Pioneer Rd, Ely   March 19 to March 22   Mahi-Mahi Dinner Mahi-Mahi, baked potato, choice of soup or garden salad, and dinner roll
Starbeam Bakery Ely Community Center - Meeting Room, 27 S. 1st Ave E, Ely   Friday, March 20th 4:30 - 7 PM Starbeam Dark Sky Pop-Up Starbeam Bakery will be hosting a special Dark Sky Pop-Up.
We will have a limited on-site menu featuring: Minnesota-shaped blueberry sugar cookies, Garlic rolls, Blueberry hand pies, and super chocolate cookies.
The full Starbeam Bakery menu will be available for pre-order pickup at the event if orders are placed by 3/18.
To view the full menu and place an order in advance, please visit: https://pci.jotform.com/form/252695280419161. Pre-ordering is encouraged to ensure availability.
Ely Public Library 224 E. Chapman St, Ely Free Friday, March 20 4:30 PM Citizen Science and Dark Skies Citizen science is a way for everyone to contribute data that researchers use to improve our understanding of the world. Learn about some current projects that you can contribute to- there are several that are related to the night sky that only require your time and a smartphone to let you help do things like record satellite streaks or measure light levels for five researchers' data for studies that they are currently working on.
Grand Ely Lodge Grand Ely Lodge - Bear Den, 400 N Pioneer Rd, Ely Free movie & seminar Friday, March 20 5-7 PM Dark Sky 101 with Jesse Gates Join Voyageurs Conservancy's Education Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador, Jesse Gates, for an educational Dark Sky movie, Northern Nights - Starry Skies, followed by Jesse’s educational seminar.  You are invited to preorder dinner at the Grand Ely Lodge as carryout and dine during the movie.  Please allow the Grand Ely Lodge at least 30-minutes to fill your order.
Dark Sky Viewing 445 Fernberg Trail - Kawishiwi Falls Hiking Trail Free Friday, March 20 8 - 10 PM Dark Sky Viewing Join Voyageurs Conservancy's Education & Dark Sky Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador to learn about the winter stars above and the stories they hold. This beginner-friendly program invites you to step outside, explore key winter constellations and deep sky wonders, and learn how we can protect our view of the cosmos from light pollution. Bring a red light headlamp or flashlight. Arrive between 7:40 and 7:55 to aid with parking. If there is inclement weather, the viewing will move to Saturday, March 21, at the same time and location.
Ely Folk School Meet at Folk School, 209 E. Sheridan St, Ely, travel to a nearby destination $33/person Saturday, March 21 10 AM - Noon Animal Tracking in the Snow This class focuses on being outdoors and practicing reading the stories told by tracks in the snow. We meet at the fire ring of the Ely Folk School and travel to a nearby destination to look for and study all the tracks we can find. Bring your curiosity, sense of wonder, and dress warmly! Register online, call, or stop by the Ely Folk School.
Ely Folk School 209 E Sheridan St, Ely $33/person Saturday, March 21 10 AM - Noon Night Sky Photography This class is for any photographer who looks up at the night sky in amazement and wants to capture its beauty. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, this class will teach you how to photograph the night sky, the Northern Lights, stars, and star trails.
Dorothy Molter Museum 2002 E Sheridan St - at the Museum Free Saturday, March 21 11 AM-3 PM Dark Sky Festival Open House Community open house with free admission all day (10-4), special outdoor dark sky and winter rec related activity stations, refreshments, warming fire (possibly)
Piragis Bookstore 105 N Central Ave, Ely Free Saturday, March 21 1-3 PM From Sunspots to Auroras Join Voyageurs Conservancy's Education Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador for a casual drop-in session to safely view the sun through our telescope. View sunspots and solar activity up close, and learn how the sun powers the dazzling northern lights. You’ll also hear about our dark sky programs offered throughout the year and how you can get involved in exploring and protecting the night sky. 
The Art Corner The Art Corner, 301 W Sheridan St, Ely $60/person Saturday, March 21 5-7 PM Needle-felt Dark Sky"Painting" "Paint" your own nighttime scene using wool rovin, embroidery, and beads. Needle-felting is a fun and easy medium with beautiful results.
Ely Folk School 209 E Sheridan St, Ely $63/person Saturday, March 21 5-7 PM The Northern Lights in Felt Students will use a wet felting technique to create northern lights-inspired felts while learning a bit of the science of these amazing phenomena.
Timber Bay Lodge & Houseboats 8347 Timber Bay Rd, Babbitt Free Saturday, March 21 6:00 PM Night Trek & Bonfire Join us for a night walk through the tall pines, ending with a Bonfire. Enjoy hot drinks, s'mores, and a front row to the Milky Way.
Listening Point Listening Point Cabin, Burntside Lake Free - To register, visit: ListeningPointFoundation.org and Book a Tour Saturday, March 21 7-9 PM Sunset Hike at Sig Olson's Cabin Experience the magic of the dark skies on a guided tour of Sigurd Olson's iconic cabin. Immerse yourself, gazing out at the sky from the dock, and hear about Sig's interpretations of the wilderness night skies.
International Wolf Center 1396 Hwy 169, Ely $13/non-members & $12/members Saturday, March 21 8-9:30 PM Howling Safari Learn about how wolves communicate. After, we will howl under the stars in hopes of a wild wolf pack's response.
Visit the Ely Dark Sky Festival Facebook Page